Health Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric, and its active ingredient curcumin, may have anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, and other benefits. The spice, known as turmeric, may be the most effective nutritional supplement in existence. Many high-quality studies show that turmeric has major benefits for your body and brain. Many of these benefits come from its main active ingredient, curcumin.

Curcumin and Inflammation

Turmeric contains curcumin, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Most studies use turmeric extracts that are standardized to include large amounts of curcumin. Chronic inflammation contributes to some common health conditions. Curcumin can suppress many molecules known to play major roles in inflammation, but its bioavailability needs to be enhanced.

Curcumin- a Potent Antioxidant

Curcumin is a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals due to its chemical structure. In addition, animal and cellular studies, suggest that curcumin may block the action of free radicals and may stimulate the action of other antioxidants.

Curcumin and Brain Health

Curcumin boosts levels of the brain hormone BDNF, which increases the growth of new neurons and may help fight various degenerative processes in your brain. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to up 70% of dementia cases. Curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier and has been shown to lead to various improvements in the pathological process of Alzheimer’s disease.

Curcumin and Heart Diseases

Curcumin has beneficial effects on several factors known to play a role in heart disease. Plus, it’s an anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant. Perhaps the main benefit of curcumin when it comes to heart disease is improving the function of the endothelium, the lining of your blood vessels. The endothelial dysfunction is one of the major causes of heart disease. This is when your endothelium is unable to regulate blood pressure, blood clotting, and various other factors. Studies have also found that curcumin can help reduce LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) and increase HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol). Additionally, turmeric can help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol, which is a process that can lead to the buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Curcumin and Diabetes

A 2013 review of studies suggests that curcumin can decrease the level of glucose in blood, as well as other diabetes-related complications. Researchers also found that curcumin may have a role in diabetes prevention.

Curcumin for Cancer Prevention

Curcumin has been studied as a beneficial herb in cancer treatment and been found to affect cancer growth and development. Curcumin leads to several changes on the molecular level that may help prevent and perhaps even treat cancer.

Curcumin and Arthritis

Arthritis is a common disorder characterized by joint inflammation. Many studies show that curcumin can help treat symptoms of arthritis and is, in some cases, more effective than anti-inflammatory drugs.

Curcumin and Depression

A study in 60 people with depression showed that curcumin was as effective as Prozac in alleviating symptoms of the condition. There’s also some evidence that curcumin can boost the brain neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.


Conclusion

Turmeric — and especially its most active compound, curcumin — have many scientifically proven health benefits, such as the potential to improve heart health and prevent against Alzheimer’s and cancer. It is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It may also help improve symptoms of depression and arthritis.







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